Holder for holding different sized mail containers

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a holder for holding different sized mail containers having a first wall, a second wall opposite the first wall, a rear wall connecting the first and second walls, and a bottom support in contact with the first, second, and rear walls. An extension extends laterally from the first wall and has a stopper placed on top of the extension. The bottom support is adapted to receive a first mail container between the first, second, and rear walls. The extension and top end of the second wall are adapted to receive a second mail container, wherein the stopper inhibits movement of the second mail container. A mail tote sits in the holder while a mail tray sits on the holder.

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/601,440, filed Aug. 13, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a rack system that can support either postalmail totes or postal mail trays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Workspace is often at a premium in the mailroom, and the task of sortingmail often requires that a person unloads and/or loads mail of varioussizes. Sometimes a user may be assigned the task of loading mail,unloading mail, and then loading mail again. Moreover, the containerused to load mail may be of a different size than the container used tounload mail. Further, the user may need to load and/or unload mailquickly because the mail may come off of or go onto processing equipmentwhich is set at a particular rate.

The containers often used are a tote, which is generally18.5″L×13.25W×11.5H, and a tray, which is generally 25″L×11.5W×4.75H.Postal mail totes are normally used for handling “flats” (oversizedenvelopes, manila envelopes, overnight envelopes, etc.) while postalmail trays are often used for standard envelopes up to #10 size.Typically, when envelopes are loaded into a tote, the mail is laid flatin the tote, stacked one envelope on top of another. When envelopes areloaded into a tray, they are usually positioned standing on their longedge, face to face. Positioning the postal mail tray at an angledposition may facilitate the loading/unloading of the mail by reducingthe tendency of the envelopes at the end of the stack to fall, whichthen often requires the user to manipulate the stack back to a verticalorientation prior to loading/unloading additional envelopes.

Considering that postal totes and trays differ in size, and becauseworkspace is often crowded due to the abundance of mail, it may beimpractical to use a workstation that accepts a tote only and a separateworkstation that accepts a tray only. Additionally, mail sometimes needsto be loaded or unloaded in different areas of the mailroom.

What is desired, therefore, is a holder for holding either sizedcontainer within the same workspace. Another desire is a holder thatpermits various-sized containers-to be interchanged quickly and easily.A further desire is a holder for holding various sized containers thatmay be an integral part of a mail cart, workstation, or desk. Yetanother desire is a holder that may be a stand alone system that can bemoved around to where it is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a holder forholding mail containers of different sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holder that allows amail container to be easily placed in and taken out of the holderregardless of the size of the mail holder.

A further object is a holder that may be removably attached to a mailcart or other furniture.

Yet another object is a holder that is integrally attached to a mailcart or other furniture.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by a holder forholding different sized mail containers having a first wall, a secondwall opposite the first wall, a rear wall connecting the first andsecond walls, and a bottom support in contact with the first, second,and rear walls. An extension extends laterally from the first wall andhas a stopper placed on top of the extension. The bottom support isadapted to receive a first mail container between the first, second, andrear walls. The extension and top end of the second wall are adapted toreceive a second mail container, wherein the stopper inhibits movementof the second mail container. A mail tote sits in the holder while amail tray sits on the holder.

The holder may be removably or integrally placed on top of a furniture,such as a mail cart, a workstation, a desk, and combinations thereof.Moreover, the first wall, second wall, rear wall, and bottom support mayall be integrally connected to one another.

The extension laterally extends from the first wall between a top endand a bottom end, inclusive of the top and bottom ends, of the firstwall. The stopper may be a protrusion on a top surface of the extension.

In another aspect of the invention, the first wall, second wall, andstopper each has a top end and the extension is attached to the firstwall on a side opposite the second wall. The extension is generallyperpendicular to the first wall and a stopper is placed on a top surfaceof the extension. The bottom support is adapted to receive a first mailcontainer placed between the first, second, and rear walls. Theextension and top end of the second wall are adapted to receive a secondmail container, wherein the stopper inhibits movement of the second mailcontainer and wherein a line defined by the top ends of the first andsecond walls passes at or below the top end of the stopper.

In a further aspect of the invention, a method for providing a holderfor holding different sized mail containers includes the steps ofproviding a first wall, placing a second wall opposite the first wall,providing a top end on the second wall, and placing a rear wall betweenand in contact with both the first wall and the second wall. The methodalso includes the steps of placing a bottom support in contact with thefirst, second, and rear walls and laterally extending an extension fromthe first wall. The method places a stopper on the extension so that afirst mail container may be placed on the bottom support between thefirst, second, and rear walls. A second mail container may be placed onthe top end and the extension wherein the stopper inhibits movement ofthe second mail container.

The method may include the step of providing a top end and a bottom endon the first wall so that the extension may be placed between the topand bottom ends, inclusive of the top and bottom ends, of the firstwall.

The method may also include the step of stopping the second mailcontainer from sliding in a general direction from the second walltoward the first wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the holder in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the holder in FIG. 1 and where the holderis occupied by a large mail tote.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the holder in FIG. 1 and where the holderis occupied by a large mail tote.

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of the holder shown in FIG. 1 and where theholder is occupied by a small mail tray.

FIG. 5 depicts a front view of the holder shown in FIG. 1 and where theholder is occupied by a small mail tray.

FIG. 6 depicts the holder shown in FIG. 1 being occupied by a small mailtray.

FIG. 7 depicts the holder shown in FIG. being occupied by a large mailtote.

FIGS. 8 and 9 more particularly depict the relative heights of variousparts of the holder shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

FIGS. 10 and 11 depict applications of the holder shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 and 7 depict holder 10 for mailing a parcel in accordance withthe invention. Holder 10 includes left side wall 24 and right side wall28 for positioning large mail tote 5. As shown, large mail tote 5 isplaced between left side wall 24 and right side wall 28. The weight oftote 5 is supported by bottom support 22. Back wall 32 is employed toinhibit tote 5 from falling off holder 10. There is no front wall sincetote 5 is placed in and out of holder 10 through this area opposite backwall 32 and a front wall may hinder placing tote 5 in and out of holder10.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, holder 10 also includes stopper 20 forinhibiting small mail tray 7 from sliding off right side wall 28, whichis used to support tray 7 in an inclined position. Both tote 5 and tray7 are provided in standard sizes. Hence, positioning stopper 20, leftside wall 24, and right side wall 28 generally accommodates most typesof totes 5 and tray 7.

What is unique about this concept is that the larger in height postaltote 5 is inserted into the rack in the Y axis, while the smaller inheight but longer in length mail tray 7 is inserted in the X axis in acantilevered position to minimize its overall length.

The rack can be fabricated from material that is suited to support theweight of the fully loaded mail containers. Materials considered asdesign elements may vary based upon the design of ancillary or integralequipment and should include but not be limited to sheet metal, wood,plastics and composites.

A typical measurement for a distance between left side wall 24 and rightside wall 28 may be approximately 1 to approximately 54 inches. Apreferred distance may be approximately 9.50 to approximately 19.50inches. A more preferred distance may be approximately 11.50 toapproximately 17.50 inches. And a most preferred distance between leftside wall 24 and right side wall 28 may be approximately 13.50 toapproximately 15.50 inches.

A typical measurement for a distance between stopper 20 and right sidewall 28 may be approximately 8 to approximately 31 inches. A preferreddistance may be approximately 12 to approximately 23 inches. A morepreferred distance may be approximately 14 to approximately 21 inches.And a most preferred distance between stopper 20 and right side wall 28may be approximately 16.12 to approximately 18.12 inches.

To accommodate an incline of small mail tray 7, a typical measurementfor a distance between top 21 of stopper 20 and top 29 of right sidewall 28 may be approximately 1 to approximately 30 inches. A preferreddistance may be approximately 2 to approximately 13 inches. A morepreferred distance may be approximately 4 to approximately 11 inches.And a most preferred distance between top 21 of stopper 20 and top 29 ofright side wall 28 may be approximately 6.69 to approximately 8.69inches.

As shown in FIGS. 1-7, stopper 20 is a protrusion extending upwardlyfrom extension 36. As shown, extension 36 is coplanar with bottomsupport 22. In fact, extension 36 is a part of bottom support 22extending beyond left side wall 24 on a side of left side wall 24opposite right side wall 28. In other embodiments, extension 36 is notcoplanar with bottom support 22 and may be elevated higher or lower thanbottom support 22.

Stopper 20 is any structure that protrudes from extension 36 forinhibiting movement of tray 7. In order for stopper 20 to inhibitmovement of tray 7, top end 21 of stopper 20 is higher, or protrudesupwardly from extension 36, than an imaginary line that intersects topend 44 of left side wall 24, top end 29 of right side wall 28, andeither stopper 20 or extension 36. As shown in FIG. 8, imaginary line Lintersects stopper 20 below top end 21 of stopper 20. Line L representsa bottom surface of tray 7 when tray 7 is placed in holder 10,specifically on top ends 44, 29. As tray 7 is placed on an inclinedefined by top ends 44, 29, tray 7 may slide downwardly toward stopper20. Hence, so long as stopper 20 intersects line L, tray 7 will beinhibited from further movement once tray 7 contacts stopper 20 orextension 36. It is understood that the distance of extension 36relative to bottom support 22 is not critical for stopper 20 to inhibitmovement. The height of top end 21 of stopper 20 relative to top ends44, 29 of left and right side walls is critical, wherein line L thatpasses through top ends 44, 29 and is below top end 21.

In FIG. 9, line L does not even intersect stopper 20 but intersectsextension 36. In this fashion, extension 36 would inhibit furthermovement of tray 7. In some embodiments, it would be stopper 20 thatinhibits movement of tray 7 because tray 7, while initially may restupon top ends 44, 29, may eventually slide downwardly toward stopper 20and the frictional contact between extension 36 and tray 7 may not belarge enough to overcome the movement of tray 7 moving downwardly towardstopper 20. However, tray 7 would likely be inhibited from furthermovement once in contact with stopper 20. Hence, as described above, solong as line L intersects stopper 20 or extension 36, tray 7 will beinhibited from further movement.

FIGS. 10 and 11 depict application of holder 10 to unit 12 facilitatingsorting mail, where unit 12 may be a desk, shelf, or other work station.In some embodiments, holder 10 may be integrally attached to unit 12. Inother embodiments, holder 10 may be irremovably attached to unit 12.

1. A holder for holding different sized mail containers, comprising: afirst wall, a second wall opposite said first wall, a rear wallconnecting said first and second walls, and a bottom support in contactwith said first, second, and rear walls; said second wall having a topend; an extension extending laterally from said first wall; a stopperplaced on said extension; wherein said bottom support is adapted toreceive a first mail container between said first, second, and rearwalls; and wherein said extension and said top end are adapted toreceive a second mail container and wherein said stopper inhibitsmovement of said second mail container.
 2. The holder according to claim1, further comprising a furniture adapted to receive the holder.
 3. Theholder according to claim 2, said holder being integrally attached tosaid furniture selected from the group consisting of a mail cart, aworkstation, a desk, and combinations thereof.
 4. The holder accordingto claim 2, said holder being irremovably attached to said furniture. 5.The holder according to claim 1, wherein said first wall furtherincludes a top end and a bottom end.
 6. The holder according to claim 5,wherein said extension is placed between said top end and said bottomend, inclusive of said top and bottom ends, of said first wall.
 7. Theholder according to claim 1, wherein said first wall, second wall, rearwall, and bottom support are all integrally connected to one another. 8.The holder according to claim 1, wherein said stopper includes aprotrusion on a top surface of said extension.
 9. A holder for holding amail tote that sits in the holder and a mail tray that sits on theholder, comprising: a first wall, a second wall opposite said firstwall, a rear wall connecting said first and second walls, and a bottomsupport in contact with said first, second, and rear walls; said secondwall having a top end; an extension attached to said first wall on aside opposite said second wall; said extension is generallyperpendicular to said first wall; a stopper placed on a top surface ofsaid extension; and said stopper and said first wall each having arespective top end; wherein the holder is adapted to interchangeablyreceive either the mail tray or the mail tote; wherein said bottomsupport is adapted to receive the mail tote placed on said bottomsupport between said first, second, and rear walls; wherein said top endof said second wall is adapted to receive the mail tray placed on anincline on said top end of said second wall sloping down toward saidextension; and wherein said stopper inhibits movement of the mail tray.10. The holder according to claim 9, wherein a line defined by said topends of said first and second walls passes at or below said top end ofsaid stopper.
 11. The holder according to claim 9, wherein a linedefined by said extension and said top end of said second wall passes ator below said top end of said stopper.
 12. A holder for holding a mailtote that sits in the holder, comprising: a first wall, a second wallopposite said first wall, a rear wall connecting said first and secondwalls, and a bottom support in contact with said first, second, and rearwalls; and wherein said bottom support is adapted to receive the mailtote placed thereon and between said first, second, and rear walls. 13.A holder for holding a mail tray that sits on the holder, comprising: afirst wall, a second wall opposite said first wall, and a rear wallconnecting said first and second walls; said second wall having a topend; an extension attached to said first wall on a side opposite saidsecond wall; said extension is generally perpendicular to said firstwall; a stopper placed on a top surface of said extension; said stopperand said first wall each having a respective top end; and wherein saidextension and said top end are adapted to receive the mail tray andwherein said stopper inhibits movement of the mail tray.
 14. A methodfor providing a holder for holding different sized mail containers,comprising the steps of: providing a first wall; placing a second wallopposite the first wall; providing a top end on the second wall; placinga rear wall between and in contact with the first wall and the secondwall; placing a bottom support in contact with the first, second, andrear walls; laterally extending an extension from the first wall;placing a stopper on the extension; wherein a first mail container maybe placed on the bottom support between the first, second, and rearwalls; and wherein a second mail container may be placed on the top endand the extension wherein the stopper inhibits movement of the secondmail container.
 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprisingthe step of providing a top end and a bottom end on the first wall. 16.The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of placingthe extension between the top and bottom ends, inclusive of the top andbottom ends, of the first wall.
 17. The method according to claim 16,further comprising the step of stopping the second mail container fromsliding in a general direction from the second wall toward the firstwall.